WARMINSTER, Pa. — They call him “Gator” around these parts.
There’s a good story to that one. Archbishop Webb receiver Mark Webb Jr. held his final practice on Thursday evening before committing to a college football program.
The nearly 6-foot-3, 200-pound prospect will make his decision known sometime between 7 and 7:30 p.m. Friday on ESPNU prior to a national broadcast of a Catholic League Red Division clash with St. Joseph’s Prep from Central Philadelphia.
His finalists are Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, Nebraska, North Carolina and Penn State. The four-star receiver is rated as the nation’s 19 WR for the Class of 2017. If he commits to Georgia, then he becomes the program’s highest-rated commitment at receiver for this class.
Webb’s Vikings square off with a Prep team led by UGA commit D’Andre Swift. Swift committed to Georgia earlier this month, and the game represents an example of a family feud that’s really not. The two inseparable cousins will lead their teams against one another on national TV.
Where is Webb going? We asked his teammates to share their thoughts on that matter on Thursday night. It was an informative interview session. We learned Webb carries a lot of respect around the Wood locker room, but he’s also a target.
“I think he is one of top-5 ugliest (players) in the state,” senior teammate Raheem Blackshear said. “If they gave out stars for being ugly, then he would be a 7-star when it comes to being ugly.”
His teammates know that “Gator” really likes the orange and blue Powerade flavors the best and that he’s easily the best dancer on the team. Where do they think he’s going?
They seemed to have a very clear opinion.
Where’s Webb going?
Raheem Blackshear, Sr., RB/WR/ATH: “I think he’s going to go to Georgia. He loves it there. I think it is a good fit for him.”
Shawn Thompson, Sr., RB/DE: “I think he’s going to go to Georgia. He really tells me that he likes it. That’s where I expect him to go. If it is not Georgia, I would give it a toss-up between Alabama and North Carolina.”
Jalen Reynolds, Sr., DB/WR: “I think he might go to Georgia because he seems to have a pretty good chemistry with the former players and current players.”
Nasir Peoples, Jr., DB/WR: “I think he’s going to go to Georgia because of his cousin D’Andre Swift is going there and because he talks about how much he loves it and how perfect it is down there in Georgia.”
Anthony Diodato, Sr., OL/DL: “I think he is going to Georgia or ‘Bama. He’s always said a lot of good things about those two schools. I think Georgia might be it because his cousin D’Andre is going there. That’s a good connection. But it might be Alabama because he has said a lot of great things about both schools.”
Jack Colyar, Soph., QB: “I think ‘Gator’ will go to Georgia. Just from speaking to him and getting to know him this year, I think it is going to be Georgia. If you see his work ethic every day in the weight room, you’d see this guy setting a good example on our team. If it is not Georgia for him, then it would definitely be Alabama or North Carolina. They better like his dance moves down there because he’s the best dancer on our team by far.”
Orlando Marquez Cavanaugh, Soph., DB/WR: “I think he’s definitely going to go to Georgia. He talks about that school a lot. I think that’s going to be the place. I’m thinking Alabama, although, for sure, if it is not Georgia.”
Leroy Pendleton, Soph., CB/WR: “I can see him going to Georgia.”
Follow Jeff Sentell on Twitter for the latest on who’s on their way to play Between the Hedges. Unless otherwise indicated, player rankings and ratings are from the 247Sports Composite.